Tonga is on the verge of finalizing its first National Employment Policy (NEP) after a validation workshop held earlier this month.
The two-day event on February 4-5 in Nuku’alofa gathered over 30 participants from government bodies, trade unions, employers, the private sector, civil society, and academia. Supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the NEP aims to tackle current employment challenges and foster the creation of decent jobs in the nation.
Discussions during the workshop covered various themes, including employment conditions, skills development, local economic growth, formalization, support for vulnerable groups, and labor migration. Attendees also evaluated the proposed action plan and implementation mechanisms associated with the policy.
Mele ‘Amanaki, Secretary-General of the Tonga National Workers Council, emphasized the policy’s significance: “This policy is very important for Tonga because we really need a policy that will guide us with respect to our economic development and the development of our workers, while also strengthening the employers.”
Sam Vea, President of the Tonga Chamber of Commerce and Industry, highlighted the policy’s relevance for the private sector and its potential to attract foreign investment.
ILO Employment Specialist Christian Viegelahn noted, “This NEP will fully reflect the views and ideas from all stakeholders in Tonga.”
Following finalization, the NEP is slated for submission to the Cabinet for adoption.
The initiative receives support from the ILO Office for Pacific Island Countries, in partnership with the Tongan government, and is funded by the Joint SDG Fund through a program aimed at enhancing livelihoods and resilience in five Pacific Island nations.
